Gay Palestinian man petitions for asylum

A homosexual Palestinian man petitioned the High Court of Justice Thursday against Interior Minister Eli Yishai
and the public committee reviewing humanitarian cases at the Interior Ministry following their decision to reject his appeal for legal residency status in Israel.

According to the petitioner, his request was denied despite indication of special humanitarian circumstances and therefore violates the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law. In his petition, the man also requested that the court issue an edict preventing authorities from deporting him until the court rules on his matter.

The petitioner, a Muslim Palestinian from Nablus who grew up in Israel until the age of six, said he is an openly gay man, whose sexual orientation is well known in the West Bank and was even reported in the Palestinian media.

He further noted that he has been living in Tel Aviv with his Israeli partner for many years, and that the two had signed a domestic partnership agreement over a decade ago.

According to the petitioner, if he is deported back to the Palestinian Authority, his life would be in danger.

He claimed that he has been arrested and beaten by the Palestinian police due to his sexual orientation in the past, and that his family has disowned him and warned him against returning to Nablus.

After a long wait, the petitioner was informed last October that the chairman of the committee, Minister Yishai, has decided to deny his request – a decision the petitioner is claiming discriminates against same sex couples.